Master of Education by Research

Program summary

Program title: Master of Education by Research
Award abbreviation: MEd by Research
Degree type: Higher Degree by Research (HDR)
Study mode: internal, external
Duration: 1.5 years expected, 2 years maximum full-time; 3 years expected, 4 years maximum part-time
Commence: students can apply and start throughout the year, subject to program requirements
Fees: Domestic candidates ^, International candidates ^
USC program code: ED802
CRICOS code: 072639J

The Master of Education by Research is an advanced research program that requires you to conduct original research in an area that is both of interest to you, and of broader significance to the University and the community.

The program can help you upgrade original training and educational qualifications, develop areas of expertise to increase your professional credibility in educational and training settings, and equip you for senior positions or professional leadership.

It involves the generation of deep knowledge in a specific professional area of study, a comprehensive review of the literature, advanced research techniques, and extensive analysis applied to a project in a workplace situation.

Enquiries

Faculty HDR Coordinator
Dr Fraser Russell
Tel: +61 7 5459 4665
Fax: +61 7 5459 4880
Email: frussell@usc.edu.au

Office of Research
Research Training Administrator
Tel: +61 7 5456 5421
Fax: +61 7 5459 4727
Email: researchtraining@usc.edu.au

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to Master of Education candidature, applicants are normally required to hold either:

• a four-year undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline with a GPA of 5 (on a 7 point scale) or equivalent, together with professional expertise in a specific field of education or training and a demonstrated potential to engage in research

OR

• a Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in Education with a GPA of 5 or better (on a 7 point scale) or equivalent together with professional expertise in a specific field of education or training and a demonstrated potential to engage in research

OR

• a Bachelors degree with Class 1 Honours or Class 2 Division I or Division II Honours

Refer also to the University's English language proficiency requirements.

Program structure

The program has four distinct phases—proposal and affirmation of candidature, writing of the thesis, presentation of a scholarly paper to a significant national or international audience, and examination of the thesis.

As a candidate you complete one required course, EDU750 Research Methods in Education which addresses the need to embed research enquiry in a particular research paradigm. You investigate a number of research paradigms and a range of research methods that may offer understandings and tools to interrogate a research problem.

And demonstrate an understanding of the interplay among research paradigms, epistemology, and methodology and research methods before initiating your research project.

You are required to write a scholarly thesis of 70,000 words in a specific professional field, which demonstrates that you are making a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in your professional context.

The thesis should also contribute to scholarship within your particular field of study.

Program requirements and notes

1. Prospective applicants wishing to undertake an MEd by Research will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
2. For further information, refer to the Research Master Degrees - Academic Policy.
3. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
4. Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
5. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

^ Enrolment and fees

1. Domestic candidates: Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not required to pay tuition fees for the standard duration of their HDR program. The Australian Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) covers the cost of HDR tuition fees for these candidates. Research Master candidates are entitled to a maximum of two years full-time equivalent study. Candidates who do not complete their degree within the maximum RTS allowable completion times may be required to pay fees for any additional periods of enrolment. Please refer to Higher Degree by Research fees.
2. International candidates: tuition fees apply. Refer to International HDR tuition fees.
3. In any semester, full-time enroment comprises 0.500 EFTSL.*
4. In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL.*
5. The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.

* EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.

The information below applies to domestic HDR applicants only. International students should refer to the information for International HDR applicants.

Step 1: Consider admission criteria

Consider whether you meet academic admissions criteria. If you are unsure if you meet this criteria please contact the Office of Research for guidance.

Step 2: Contact the relevant faculty

To apply for a Higher Degree by Research (including Master by Research and Doctoral degrees), you must first contact the relevant faculty (Faculty of Arts and Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering) to discuss your intended research topic and a possible supervisor.

Entry is highly competitive and depends on:

• your academic background
• the submission of a suitable research proposal
• the availability of a registered supervisor
• the availability of resources to support your proposed research topic

Step 3: Develop a research proposal

You will need to develop a research proposal together with your intended supervisor before submitting an application.

Finding a supervisor

All supervisors at USC are required to be admitted to the register of supervisors. Use the Experts Guide to find a potential supervisor in your area of research, and remember to ask your supervisor if they are registered.

Step 4: Complete an application form

Complete an application form and submit this with your supporting documents to the Research Training Administrator.

• Higher Degree by Research application form (Word doc 253KB)

Step 5: Submit completed application form

Submit your completed application form with supporting documentation to the Office of Research.

You may apply at any time as entry dates to higher degrees by research are flexible. Only complete applications will be considered.